Danette Mitchell: Program finds success helping students

In 1966, James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, released "Don't be a Drop-Out." The lyrics encouraged black youth to stay in school because it was their tool to freedom.

Unlike the '60s, we are seeing young people, particularly in minority communities, drop out of high school now at astronomical rates. More than ever, education is vital in order for them to find even entry-level employment and become productive members of this society.

The Solano County Workforce Investment Board (WIB), in collaboration with Solano Community College, implemented Project HYPE (Helping Youth to Prepare to Excel) to prepare young people without a high school diploma, to pass the General Education Development (GED) test and help high school seniors pass the exit exam.

The HYPE program offers mentoring, exposure to various community events and services, life skills workshops and work experience. HYPE's overall objective is that after young people exit the program, they would consider enrollment at Solano College.

The government-funded project made its debut two years ago through a grant. Lily Espinoza, former Dean at Solano College, aspire to help young people succeed in their academics, and she penned the acronym HYPE.

With the help of Dr. Jowell Laguerre, Solano College superintendent/president, the college was successful in securing the grant that WIB oversees.

Here's how the program works. WIB goes out into the community to youth organizations, including schools, to tell young people about the services and resources available to them. WIB also receives referrals from other local venues.

Most referrals are for the GED. Once a referral is received at WIB, young people are assigned to a specialist who interviews them and refers them to Lorraine Merrida-Roos, coordinator of the HYPE program.

Merrida-Roos sets up an orientation and tests the students to assess their strengths and weaknesses in specific subject areas. She prepares a service plan and assigns them a tutor that meets with them at any of the Solano County libraries or other convenient locations.

While HYPE is only contracted to provide Math and Language Arts/Writing tutoring, students can receive help in Social Studies and Science.

In addition to the educational component of the program, HYPE provides work experience. WIB partners with local businesses to employ the students. HYPE students not only gain work experience, but they also earn income.

Leadership Development Workshops, which is the final component of HYPE, focus on "promoting intellectual growth, creativity, and self-discipline, so that students have an equal opportunity to achieve their maximum potential." This component also includes an adult mentor, who helps students with personal needs and concerns.

In this phase, students are exposed to local events and services within the community and provided with college preparation and enrollment assistance.

Students have six months to prepare for the GED or the high school exit exam. During this time, they are tested and their progress is monitored. If students do not pass the test, WIB extends their time, which may be up to a year.

Project HYPE has a success rate of 50 percent and about 30 active students.

The program's success, says Merrida-Roos, is based on "the quality of the tutoring students receive and a team effort."

Marion J. Aiken, Work Force Services Manager at WIB, WIB Specialists, tutors and other professionals, make up the team.

"I see myself in these kids," Merrida-Roos said. "I was one of them who was told I was dumb and never going to learn." However, she managed to graduate from high school and, at 54, she entered Solano Community College. Later, she earned her bachelors and master's degree.

Her vision is that 100 percent of HYPE students would earn their GED or pass their high school exit exam, although it would be ideal for them to stay in school and graduate.

Unfortunately, many young people have grown up in undesirable environments, Merrida-Roos says, and has heard negative messages most of their lives. They sabotage themselves, expect less and don't see any possibilities.

Once they realize other adults care about them and are presented with tools to succeed, they share dreams of being a California Highway Patrol officer, a computer technician, a writer or joining the Peace Corps or the military.

Merrida-Roos encourages young people who did not graduate from high school to invest in themselves and accept a second chance. For more information about HYPE, contact Merrida-Roos at lmerrida.hype@gmail.com.